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English grammar

Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however

Updated 27 Oct 2026 4 min read LingoLadder Editorial Team
Cover: advanced contrast linkers — despite, in spite of, although, however, whereas
Short answer

Use despite and in spite of before a noun or -ing form, and although before a full clause, to join a contrast in one sentence. Use however and whereas to link two contrasting ideas with the right punctuation.

On this page10 sections · tap to jump
  1. 01The rule
  2. 02Forms
  3. 03Example sentences
  4. 04Common mistakes
  5. 05A short conversation
  6. 06Usage notes
  7. 07Compared with…
  8. 08Practice
  9. 09Quiz
  10. 10Recap cheat-sheet

Level: B2. At B2 you can already say although and but. This lesson adds the more formal contrast linkers — despite, in spite of, however, nevertheless and whereas — and, just as important, shows the grammar that goes before and after each one.

The rule

A contrast linker joins two ideas that clash: something is true, yet something surprising or opposite is also true. English groups these linkers by what must follow them, and that grammar is where most mistakes happen.

Despite and in spite of are prepositions. A preposition is followed by a noun, a pronoun, or an -ing form (a gerund) — never by a full clause with its own verb on its own. So you say despite the rain, despite being tired, or in spite of the cost. To put a whole clause after them, add the bridge the fact that: despite the fact that it was raining.

Although, though and even though are conjunctions. A conjunction joins two clauses, so each needs a subject and a verb: Although it was raining, we went out. Though is the more informal of the three, and even though is the most emphatic.

However, nevertheless and nonetheless are linking adverbs (also called conjunctive adverbs). They do not join two clauses grammatically; they comment on a new sentence. So they follow a full stop or a semicolon, and they are set off with a comma: It was expensive. However, we bought it. Whereas and while are different again: they are conjunctions that compare two balanced facts in one sentence (Tom is calm, whereas his brother is anxious).

Forms

Linker What follows it Example
despite / in spite of noun or pronoun Despite the delay, we arrived.
despite / in spite of -ing form (gerund) In spite of being ill, she sang.
despite / in spite of the fact that + clause Despite the fact that it rained, we walked.
although / even though subject + verb (clause) Although it rained, we walked.
however / nevertheless . or ; then a comma It rained. However, we walked.
whereas / while subject + verb (contrast) He walks, whereas she drives.

Example sentences

  1. Despite the rain, the match went ahead.
    despite + noun (the rain).
  2. In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.
    in spite of + noun; same meaning as despite.
  3. Despite being exhausted, she finished the race.
    despite + -ing form (gerund).
  4. In spite of working all night, he missed the deadline.
    in spite of + -ing form.
  5. Despite the fact that it was late, they kept talking.
    despite + the fact that + full clause.
  6. Although the restaurant was expensive, the food was poor.
    although + clause (subject + verb).
  7. Even though she had studied hard, she failed the test.
    even though is more emphatic than although.
  8. He went to work, though he felt unwell.
    though is the more informal option; here it introduces the contrasting clause, like although.
  9. The plan was risky. However, the board approved it.
    however after a full stop, then a comma.
  10. The offer was generous; nevertheless, she turned it down.
    nevertheless after a semicolon.
  11. The results were weak; nonetheless, the team stayed hopeful.
    nonetheless means the same as nevertheless.
  12. Tom is relaxed, whereas his brother worries about everything.
    whereas compares two balanced facts.
  13. Some students prefer exams, while others prefer coursework.
    while used for contrast, not time.
  14. The city is crowded in summer; in winter, however, it is quiet.
    however placed inside the sentence, between commas.
  15. She kept calm despite the noise all around her.
    despite can also follow the main clause.
  16. We enjoyed the trip in spite of the bad weather.
    in spite of after the main clause.
  17. Although they are twins, they look nothing alike.
    a surprising contrast with although.
  18. The medicine is effective; however, it has side effects.
    a formal result-and-contrast link.
  19. He earns little, yet he gives to charity every month.
    yet works like but for a stronger contrast.
  20. Despite her fear of flying, she travels abroad often.
    despite + possessive noun phrase.
  21. The economy grew, whereas unemployment barely fell.
    two facts contrasted in one sentence.
  22. Even though we had a map, we still got lost.
    even though + still for emphasis.

Common mistakes

  • ❌ Despite of the rain, we went out. → ✅ Despite the rain, we went out. Despite takes no of. Only in spite of has of.
  • ❌ Despite it was raining, we went out. → ✅ Despite the fact that it was raining / Although it was raining. Despite cannot be followed by a clause directly; add the fact that or switch to although.
  • ❌ Although it was expensive, but we bought it. → ✅ Although it was expensive, we bought it. Do not use although and but together; one linker is enough.
  • ❌ It was late, however we kept working. → ✅ It was late; however, we kept working. However is not a conjunction; a comma before it is a comma splice. Use a semicolon or a full stop, and a comma after.
  • ❌ In spite being tired, she worked on. → ✅ In spite of being tired, she worked on. In spite always needs of before the noun or -ing.
  • ❌ He is tall, whereas, his sister is short. → ✅ He is tall, whereas his sister is short. Whereas joins the clause directly; no comma after it.

A short conversation

A: Did the launch go well despite the budget cuts? B: Surprisingly, yes. In spite of having less money, the team delivered on time. A: That’s impressive. The deadline was tight; nevertheless, you made it. B: We did. Although it was stressful, I’d do it again.

Usage notes

  • Register. Despite, in spite of, however, nevertheless and nonetheless are more formal and common in writing. In speech, people often prefer but, though and even though.
  • Position of however. However can open a sentence (However, prices fell), sit in the middle between commas (Prices, however, fell), or follow a semicolon. Wherever it goes, it is always marked off with commas.
  • Though at the end. In informal English, though can close a sentence as an afterthought: It was expensive. I bought it, though. Here it means but.
  • Whereas vs while. Both can contrast two facts. While also means “during”, so in careful writing use whereas when the meaning is pure contrast and the sentence could otherwise be read as time.

Compared with…

  • Basic cause and contrast linkers cover because, so, but and although for everyday speech. This lesson takes the same contrast idea into more formal structures. See Connectors of Cause and Contrast.
  • Advanced result and addition linkers (therefore, moreover, consequently) share the same punctuation rules as however — a semicolon or new sentence, then a comma — but they add or conclude rather than contrast. See Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently.

Recap card for advanced contrast linkers showing despite plus noun, although plus clause, and however with a semicolon

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

Practice

Advanced contrast practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Choose the correct sentence.
Show answer

Despite the cost, we bought it. — Despite takes a noun directly and never of: despite the cost.

Hint: in spite ___

Show answer

of — In spite of always keeps of before the noun.

3 Which linker correctly joins a full clause?
Show answer

Although it rained, — Although is a conjunction, so it is followed by a clause: although it rained.

4 Put the words in order to punctuate 'however' correctly.

Show answer

It was late; however, we finished. — However follows a semicolon and takes a comma after it.

5 Match each linker to what must follow it.

  • despite
  • although
  • however
  • whereas
Show answer
  • despite → a noun or -ing form
  • although → a full clause
  • however → a new sentence or semicolon
  • whereas → a contrasting clause

Each contrast linker controls the grammar that follows it.

Hint: no of after despite

Show answer

the warning — Despite the warning — despite takes the noun with no of.

Quiz

Check yourself

Advanced contrast quiz

12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/12 0 answered
  1. 1Complete: '___ the heavy rain, the parade went ahead.'
    Show answer

    Despite — Despite + noun (the heavy rain); no of, and no clause here.

  2. 2Which sentence is correct?
    Show answer

    Despite being tired, he kept going. — Despite + -ing form: despite being tired.

  3. 3Choose the correct punctuation.
    Show answer

    It was cold; however, we swam. — However is not a conjunction: use a semicolon before and a comma after.

  4. 4Which word completes 'In spite ___ the delay, we stayed calm'?
    Show answer

    of — In spite of keeps of before the noun.

  5. 5Which sentence is WRONG?
    Show answer

    Although it was late, but we kept working. — Do not pair although with but; use only one contrast linker.

  6. 6Pick the best linker: 'Tom is calm, ___ his brother is anxious.'
    Show answer

    whereas — Whereas contrasts two balanced facts in one sentence.

  7. 7How can you follow 'despite' with a full clause?
    Show answer

    despite the fact that it was raining — Add the bridge the fact that to put a clause after despite.

  8. 8Which is the most emphatic contrast?
    Show answer

    even though it rained — Even though is the most emphatic of the clause linkers.

  9. 9Complete: 'The offer was good; ___, she refused it.'
    Show answer

    nevertheless — Nevertheless is a linking adverb after a semicolon, like however.

  10. 10Which sentence uses 'however' in mid-position correctly?
    Show answer

    Prices, however, fell sharply. — In mid-position, however sits between two commas.

  11. Show answer

    though — Though or although joins the surprising clause; both fit here.

  12. 12Which rewrite keeps the meaning of 'Although it was cheap, it worked well'?
    Show answer

    In spite of being cheap, it worked well. — In spite of + -ing (being cheap) expresses the same concession as although.

Recap cheat-sheet

Linker Followed by Punctuation
despite / in spite of noun, pronoun, -ing comma if it opens the sentence
although / even though a full clause comma between the two clauses
however / nevertheless a new sentence . or ; before, comma after
whereas / while a contrasting clause comma before, none after

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125 topics 125 ready now
A1 30 topics · 30 ready
  1. 01 Verb 'To Be' in the Present (am, is, are)
  2. 02 Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
  3. 03 Present Simple: Affirmative and the -s Ending
  4. 04 Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)
  5. 05 Articles: a / an and When to Use Each
  6. 06 The Definite Article 'The': When to Use It
  7. 07 Zero Article: When to Use No Article
  8. 08 Plural Nouns: Regular and Irregular Forms
  9. 09 This, That, These, Those (Demonstratives)
  10. 10 Possessive Adjectives: my, your, his, her
  11. 11 Possessive 's and s' (Showing Belonging)
  12. 12 There Is / There Are (Saying What Exists)
  13. 13 Have Got: Talking About Possession
  14. 14 Can and Can't for Ability
  15. 15 Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
  16. 16 Imperatives: Giving Orders and Instructions
  17. 17 Adjectives: Position and Basic Use
  18. 18 Prepositions of Place: in, on, at
  19. 19 Prepositions of Time: in, on, at
  20. 20 Question Words: What, Where, When, Who, Why, How
  21. 21 How Much vs How Many
  22. 22 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
  23. 23 Some and Any: Which One to Use
  24. 24 Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, us, them
  25. 25 Adverbs of Frequency and Their Position
  26. 26 Like, Love, Hate + -ing (Expressing Preferences)
  27. 27 Would Like: Polite Wants and Offers
  28. 28 Making Requests: Can, Could, May I
  29. 29 Past Simple of 'To Be' (was / were)
  30. 30 Let's and Shall We: Making Suggestions
A2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 31 Past Simple: Regular Verbs and -ed Spelling
  2. 32 Past Simple: Irregular Verbs (go, see, have)
  3. 33 Past Simple: Negatives and Questions (did)
  4. 34 Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive)
  5. 35 Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most)
  6. 36 Going To: Plans and Predictions
  7. 37 Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers
  8. 38 Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
  9. 39 Present Perfect for Experience (ever / never)
  10. 40 Present Perfect with just, already, yet
  11. 41 Present Perfect vs Past Simple
  12. 42 Have To and Don't Have To (Obligation)
  13. 43 Should and Shouldn't for Advice
  14. 44 Could: Past Ability and Polite Use
  15. 45 Much, Many, A Lot Of
  16. 46 A Few, A Little, Few, Little
  17. 47 Adverbs of Manner (quickly, well, hard)
  18. 48 Verb + -ing or Verb + to (Introduction)
  19. 49 Zero Conditional (Facts and Rules)
  20. 50 First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
  21. 51 Prepositions of Movement (to, into, through)
  22. 52 Possessive Pronouns: mine, yours, hers
  23. 53 Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)
  24. 54 Too and Enough (Degree)
  25. 55 Order of Adjectives Before a Noun
B1 27 topics · 27 ready
  1. 56 Past Continuous vs Past Simple
  2. 57 Used To and Would for Past Habits
  3. 58 Present Perfect Continuous (have been -ing)
  4. 59 Present Perfect: Simple vs Continuous
  5. 60 Past Perfect (had + past participle)
  6. 61 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)
  7. 62 Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
  8. 63 Reported Speech: Statements (Backshift)
  9. 64 Reported Questions
  10. 65 Reported Commands and Requests
  11. 66 Passive Voice: Present and Past Simple
  12. 67 Must and Mustn't (Strong Obligation)
  13. 68 May, Might, Could for Possibility
  14. 69 Defining Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
  15. 70 Non-Defining Relative Clauses (with commas)
  16. 71 Gerunds and Infinitives: Full Verb Patterns
  17. 72 Verbs Where -ing vs to Changes Meaning
  18. 73 Future Continuous (will be -ing)
  19. 74 So and Such (Emphasis)
  20. 75 As...As Comparisons (equality)
  21. 76 Question Tags (isn't it? do you?)
  22. 77 Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable
  23. 78 Linking Words: because, so, although, but
  24. 79 Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)
  25. 80 Indirect Questions (Can you tell me...)
  26. 81 Make, Let, Allow, Help (Causatives Intro)
  27. 82 Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing)
B2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 83 Narrative Tenses for Storytelling
  2. 84 Past Perfect Continuous (had been -ing)
  3. 85 Mixed Conditionals
  4. 86 Wish and If Only (Regrets and Wishes)
  5. 87 Wish/If Only + would (Complaints)
  6. 88 Passive Voice: All Tenses and Modals
  7. 89 Reporting Passive (It is said that / is said to)
  8. 90 Causative: Have/Get Something Done
  9. 91 Reduced Relative Clauses (Participles)
  10. 92 Modals of Deduction: Present and Past
  11. 93 Needn't Have vs Didn't Need To
  12. 94 Future Perfect (will have done)
  13. 95 Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / having done)
  14. 96 Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more)
  15. 97 Conditional Alternatives: unless, as long as, provided
  16. 98 Advanced Determiners: each, every, either, neither
  17. 99 Intensifiers and Adverbs of Degree
  18. 100 Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however You are here
  19. 101 Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently
  20. 102 Advanced Article Use (generalisations, names)
  21. 103 Verb + Preposition and Adjective + Preposition
  22. 104 Relative Clauses: whose, where, when, quantifier + whom
  23. 105 Subject-Verb Agreement: Tricky Cases
  24. 106 Emphatic Do (I do like it)
  25. 107 Would for Past Habits (Formal Narrative)
C1 18 topics · 18 ready
  1. 108 Inversion with Negative Adverbials
  2. 109 Inversion in Conditionals (Had I known)
  3. 110 Cleft Sentences (It was... / What I need is...)
  4. 111 Fronting and Emphasis (Word Order)
  5. 112 Subjunctive and Mandative (I suggest he be)
  6. 113 Ellipsis and Substitution (so, do, one)
  7. 114 Hedging and Cautious Language
  8. 115 Nominalisation (Academic Noun Style)
  9. 116 Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written)
  10. 117 Advanced Passive (passive + infinitive, get-passive)
  11. 118 Advanced Comparative Structures (no sooner...than)
  12. 119 Future in the Past (was going to / would)
  13. 120 Advanced Modals (may well, might as well, would rather)
  14. 121 Advanced Reported Speech (Reporting Verbs + Patterns)
  15. 122 Advanced and Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
  16. 123 Collocation and Colligation (Natural Combinations)
  17. 124 Advanced Concession (much as, whatever, however + adj)
  18. 125 Absolute and Non-Finite Clauses (Formal)